Power press lubricating system

ABSTRACT

In a power press of the type having at least two relatively movable components in interfrictional contact at a selected area during relative movement of these components, means for selectively operating the press in one of two modes, and means for lubricating the selected area, the lubricating means including a lubricant injector having an inlet and outlet, the inlet being connected to a supply of lubricant and the outlet being communicated with the selected area. The power press includes an improved lubricating system comprising: first lubrication control means operative when the press is operating in one of the modes for actuating the lubricant injector; and second lubrication control means operative when the press is operating in the other of the modes for actuating the lubricant injector.

United States Patent Inventor Edward J. Freeland 2,857,491 10/ l958Harter l84/6X Hastings, Mich. 2,833,939 5/1958 Leber 200/6l.58X Appl.No. 852,013 3,026,387 3/1962 Ashbough l84/6X 5253 PrimaryExaminer-Manuel A. Antonakas Assignee Gulf & Western Industrial ProductsAttorney Meyer Tflbeny and Body Company Grand ABSTRACT: In a power pressof the type having at least two relatively movable components ininterfrictional contact at a POWER PRESS LUBRICATING SYSTEM selectedarea during relative movement of these components,

means for selectively operating the press in one of two modes, 5cm andmeans for lubricating the selected area, the lubricating US. Cl 184/6,mean including a lubricant injector having an inlet and outlet,

1 the inlet being connected to a supply of lubricant and the out- ,Int.Cl Folm 9/12 let being communicated with the selected area. The powerField of Search 184/6, 6 pres includes an improved lubricating systemcomprising:

( 6 /2 first lubrication control means operative when the press isoperating in one of the modes for actuating the lubricant in- ReferenwsCted jector; and second lubrication control means operative when UNITEDSTATES PATENTS the press is operating in the other of the modes foractuating 2,688,382 9/ 1954 Georgeff 184/6 fi lubricant injectofl I2A'-' 34 COUNTER OFF I4 --|l0 AUTO. MAN. 54 "2 W98 2 SOLENOID I6PATENiTE-D um 1 m 3,578,112

FIGZ

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INVENTOR. EDWARD J. FREELAND I00 Y B Mwpm M,

ATTORNEYS POWER PRESS LUBRICATING SYSTEM This application pertains tothe lubrication art and more particularly to'an improved lubricatingsystem for power presses.

The invention is particularly applicable to a power press of 5 the typewhich may be operated either automatically or manually and will bedescribed with reference thereto; however, it is to be appreciated thatthe invention has broader applications and may be used with any powerpress which has a plurality of selectable modes of operation.

Conventional power presses have many relatively movable components, suchas a ram and a guide in which the ram travels, to name only one. Theinvention is applicable to lubricating these relative movablecomponents; however, lubrication of the ram and guide will be discussedfor illustration of the invention. These two components are ininterfrictional contact at a selected area during the movement of theram in the guide. Such presses are generally adapted to have two modesof operation, manual and automatic. When set for automatic operation,the press runs continuously. Altematively, if manual operation isselected, the press will run on a single-stroke basis. The press furtherincludes means for lubricating the selected area where the movablecomponents are in interfrictional contact. The lubricating meansgenerally includes a lubricant injector having an inlet and outlet, theinletbeing connected to a supply of lubricant and the outlet beingcommunicated with the selected area in order to properly lubricate themovable components.

Heretofore, power presses of the type described above have generallyincluded a lubricating system comprising a synchronous motor timer, andmeans for interconnecting the motor and lubricant injector. Thesynchronous motor is interconnected with the press circuitry and in thismanner operates whenever the press is energized. The synchronous motordrives the connecting means which includes a timer dial for periodicallyactuating the lubricant injector. When the lubricant injector isactuated, lubricant is drawn from a reservoir and is transported to theselected area in order to lubricate the movable components.

The principle problem with the above-described lubricating system isthat it fails to properly lubricate the press for all modes ofoperation. When the press is set for automatic operation, and hencerunning continuously,,the synchronous motor is also running continuouslyand the press is properly lubricated. However, when the press is set formanual operation, and hence operating on a single-stroke basis, thesynchronous motor only operates intermittently and the press is notlubricated at the requisite rate. As such, the likelihood of damage topress components is greatly increased when the press is operatedmanually.

The present invention contemplates anew and improved apparatus whichovercomes the above referred problem and others, and provides alubricating system for power presses which supplies the requisite amountof lubricant to the movable components regardless of the mode of pressoperation.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a lubricatingsystem for power presses of the type having at least two relativelymovable components in interfrictional contact at a selected area duringsuch movement, means for selectively operating the press in one of twomodes, and means for lubricating the selected area, the lubricatingmeans includes a lubricant injector having an inlet and outlet, theinlet being connected to a supply of lubricant and the outlet beingcommunicated with the selected area; the improved lubricating systemcomprising: first lubrication control means operative when the press isoperating in one of the modes for actuating the lubricant injector; andsecond lubrication control means operative when the press is operatingin the other of the modes for actuating the lubricant injector. wherebythe lubricant injector is actuated regardless of the mode of operationof the press.

The principle object of the present invention is to provide an improvedlubricating system for power presses.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improvedlubricating system for power presses which will supply the requisiteamount of lubricant regardless of the mode of press operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedlubricating system for power presses which is capable of installation onexisting presses.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide animproved lubricating system for power presses which is simple andeconomical to manufacture.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing description used to illustrate the preferred embodiment of theinvention when read in connec' tion with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional power press havingan improved lubricating system constructed in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of the power press and improvedlubricating system of FIG. 1. Referring now to the drawings wherein theshowings are for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiment ofthe in- .vention only and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIG. 1shows the overall arrangement of a power press, designated generally bythe reference letter A, having installed thereon an improved lubricatingsystem, designated generally by the reference letter B, constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the press includes a ram 10 and a guide 12. The ram10 moves in a substantially vertical direction relative to the guide 12and is in interfrictional contact therewith. A three-position switch,designated generally by the reference numeral l4, controls the operationof the press A. The switch 14 includes an off" position, an automaticposition and a manual position. When set in the automatic position, thepress A will run continuously. On the other hand, when the switch 14 isset in the manual position, the press A will operate on a single-strokebasis. Energization of the press A, and hence the lubricating system Bis provided by an external power source 16 which is connected to theswitch 14 by lead 98.

In order to furnish lubricant to the press, there is providedlubricating means including a lubricant injector 18 having an inlet 20and an outlet 22. The inlet 20 is connected to a lubricant reservoir24by a lubricant reservoir line 30. The outlet 22 is connected to alubricant supply line 32 which carries the lubricant to variouslocations within the press A, and particularly to a selected area,designated by the reference numeral 34, throughout which the ram 10 andguide 12 are in interfrictional contact.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided firstlubrication control means for actuating the lubricant injector 18. Thefirst lubrication control means includes a synchronous motor 36 which isoperative when the switch 14 is set in the automatic" position. Themotor 36 is electrically connected to the switch 14 and power source 16by leads 100, 102, respectively. The motor 36 has a drive shaft 38 towhich has been secured a gear 40 for rotation therewith. A bevel gear42, which is secured to one end of a shaft 44, is in driving engagementwith the gear 40. Secured to the other end of the shaft 44 is a sprocketgear 50.

The actuation of the lubricant injector 18 is controlled by a switch 52.The lubricant injector 18 is electrically connected to the switch 52 andpower source 16 by leads 102, 106, 108, respectively. In accordance withthe present invention there is provided cam means for periodicallyactuating the switch 52 which may take many forms, such as a breakout ortab-type cam. However, in the preferred embodiment it is shown as a disc54 having a plurality of axial openings 56 spaced about thecircumference thereof. A plurality of actuator pins 58 are disposed insome of the openings 56 to define a preselected cam configuration on thedisc 54. The switch 52 is located adjacent the disc 54, whereby when thedisc rotates the actuating pins 58 depress an actuating lever 60 on theswitch which in turn causes the lubricant injector 18 to be energized.The cam means further includes a disc sprocket gear 62 which iscoaxially secured to the disc 54. A drive chain 64 interconnects thesprocket gear 50 with the disc sprocket gear 62, whereby when the motor36 is energized the disc 54 rotates.

In accordance with the present invention there is further providedsecond lubrication control means for actuating the lubricant injector 18which may take a variety of forms; however, in the preferred embodimentit is shown as including a counter 70 and a solenoid 72. The counter 70is electrically connected to the switch 14 and solenoid 72 by leads 110,112 respectively, and is energized when the switch 14 is in the manualposition. In this position the press A is operated on a single-strokebasis and the counter 70 counts the individual number of press strokes.The solenoid 72 is electrically connected to the power source 16 by lead114, and includes a drive pawl 74 which is in driving engagement with aratchet wheel 76 that is secured to the outermost end of the drive shaft38. When the counter 70 reaches a predetermined count, it energizes thesolenoid 72, thereby causing the drive pawl 74 to extend outward awayfrom the solenoid and rotate the ratchet wheel 76. Since the gear 40 isalso mounted on the drive shaft 38, it too rotates when the ratchetwheel rotates. This rotational force is transmitted through the drivetrain and causes the disc 54 to also rotate. The counter 70 isprogrammed with a predetermined count that will cause the solenoid 72 tobe actuated with sufficient frequency in order that drive shaft 38 willrotate at the same rate, regardless of the mode of press operation. Inthis manner, the press A will receive the requisite amount oflubrication whether operating continuously or on a single-stroke basis.

With the foregoing information in mind, the operation of the improvedlubricating system is as follows. Power source 16 furnishes therequisite power to both the press A and the components of thelubricating system B. When the switch 14 is turned to the automaticposition, the press A will run con tinuously. With the switch so set,the synchronous motor 36 is energized, thereby causing the drive shaft38 to rotate at a preselected rate. By means of the drive trainheretofore described, rotation of the drive shaft 38 will cause the disc54 to rotate. At preselected points in disc rotation, actuating pins 58will depress the actuating lever 60 of the switch 52, thereby energizingthe lubricant injector 18. Upon such energization, lubricant is pumpedfrom the reservoir 24 through the reservoir line 30 and thence throughthe supply line 32 and is distributed at various points in the press A,such as at the selected area 34. j

When the switch 14 is set in the manual" position, the press A operateson a single-stroke basis and the counter 70 counts the number of pressstrokes. When a predetermined count is reached, the counter 70 causesthe solenoid 72 to be energized. Upon such energization, the drive pawl74 moves outward from the solenoid 72 to rotate ratchet wheel 76. Sincegear 40 and-ratchet wheel 76 are both mounted on drive shaft 38, whenthe ratchet wheel is rotated the gear also rotates. In so doing, itcauses the above described drive train to rotate the disc 54, Atpreselected points in disc rotation the actuator pins 58 will depressthe actuating lever 60 of the switch 52, thereby energizing thelubricant injector 18. The result of such energization has heretoforebeen described. It is important to note that drive shaft 38 will rotateat the same rate of speed, due either to the output of the motor 36 orthe rotation of the ratchet wheel 76, thereby providing the requisiteamount of lubricant to the press A regardless of the mode of pressoperation.

lclaim:

1. In a power press of the type having at least two relatively movablecomponents in interfrictional contact at a selected area during relativemovement of said components, meansfor selectively operating said pressin one of two modes, and means for lubricating said selected area, saidlubricating means including a lubricant injector havin an inlet andoutlet said inlet being connected to a supply 0 lubricant and saidoutlet being communicated with said selected area; the improvementcomprising: first lubrication control means operative when said press isoperating in one of said modes for actuating said lubricant injector;and second lubrication control means operative when said press isoperating in the other of said modes for actuating said lubricantinjector, whereby said lubricant injector is actuated regardless of themode of operation of said press.

2. The lubricating system defined in claim 1, wherein said firstlubrication control means includes a motor operative when said press isoperating in one of said modes, a switch adapted to control theenergization of said lubricant injector, cam means for periodicallyactuating said switch, and means for drivingly connecting said cam withsaid motor, whereby said cam periodically actuates said switch when saidmotor is operative.

37 The lubricating system defined in claim 2, wherein said secondlubrication control means includes means operative when said press isoperated in the other of said modes for counting the'number of pressstrokes, a solenoid connected to said counting means and having adriving output, and means for connecting the driving output of saidsolenoid to said cam means, whereby when said counting means reaches apreselected count said solenoid is energized and drives said camv 4. Thelubricating system defined in claim 3, further including means forinterconnecting said connecting means of said first lubrication controlmeans and said connecting means of said second lubrication controlmeans.

5. A lubrication control system for use with power presses of the typehaving at least two relatively movable components in interfrictionalcontact at a selected area during relative movement of said components,means for selectively operating said press in one of two modes, andmeans for lubricating said selected area, said lubricating meansincluding a lubricant injector having an inlet and outlet, said inletbeing connected to a supply of lubricant and said outlet beingcommunicated with said selected area, said lubrication control systemcomprising: first lubrication control means operative when said press isoperating in one of said modes for actuating said lubricant injector;and second lubrication control means operative when said press isoperating in the other of said modes for actuating said lubricantinjector, whereby said lubricant injector is actuated regardless of themode of operation of said press.

1. In a power press of the type having at least two relatively movablecomponents in interfrictional contact at a selected area during relativemovement of said components, means for selectively operating said pressin one of two modes, and means for lubricating said selected area, saidlubricating means including a lubricant injector having an inlet andoutlet, said inlet being connected to a supply of lubricant and saidoutlet being communicated with said selected area; the improvementcomprising: first lubrication control means operative when said press isoperating in one of said modes for actuating said lubricant injector;and second lubrication control means operative when said press isoperating in the other of said modes for actuating said lubricantinjector, whereby said lubricant injector is actuated regardless of themode of operation of said press.
 2. The lubricating system defined inclaim 1, wherein said first lubrication control means includes a motoroperative when said press is operating in one of said modes, a switchadapted to control the energization of said lubricant injector, cammeans for periodically actuating said switch, and means for drivinglyconnecting said cam with said motor, whereby said cam periodicallyactuates said switch when said motor is operative.
 3. The lubricatingsystem defined in claim 2, wherein said second lubrication control meansincludes means operative when said press is operated in the other ofsaid modes for counting the number of press strokes, a solenoidconnected to said counting means and having a driving output, and meansfor connecting the driving output of said solenoid to said cam means,whereby when said counting means reaches a preselected count saidsolenoid is energized and drives said cam.
 4. The lubricating systemdefined in claim 3, further including means for interconnecting saidconnecting means of said first lubrication control means and saidconnecting means of said second lubrication control means.
 5. Alubrication control system for use with power presses of the type havingat least two relatively movable components in interfrictional contact ata selected area during relative movement of said components, means forselectively operating said press in one of two modes, and means forlubricating said selected area, said lubricating means including alubricaNt injector having an inlet and outlet, said inlet beingconnected to a supply of lubricant and said outlet being communicatedwith said selected area, said lubrication control system comprising:first lubrication control means operative when said press is operatingin one of said modes for actuating said lubricant injector; and secondlubrication control means operative when said press is operating in theother of said modes for actuating said lubricant injector, whereby saidlubricant injector is actuated regardless of the mode of operation ofsaid press.